Separable fastener



NOV. 10, 1964 A, G. CARTER ETAL 3,156,025

SEPARABLE FASTENER Filed April 2, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l wf @y IWW x 56 59 .5/

@ ANDREW G. CARTER HERMA/V G. ALOFS IN VEN TORS NOV- 10 1964 A. G. CARTR ETAL 3,156,025

SEPARABLE FASTENER Filed April 2, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ANDREW G. CARTER HERMAN G. ALOFS -EE.; E INVENToRs Nov. 10, 1964 A. G. CARTER ETAL 3,156,025

SEPARABLE FASTENER Filed April 2, 19g? 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTORS ELE.- -2 ANDREW G. CARTER HERMAN 6. ALOFS BY United States Patent O M SEPARARLE FASTENER Andrew G. Carter, Grand Rapids, Mich., and Herman G. Alofs, 1512 Yorkshire SE., Grand Rapids, Mich.; said Carter assigner to Andrew G. Carter and Harriet T. Carter, a partnership doing business as Carter Engineering Company, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Filed Apr. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 184,197 6 Claims. (Cl. 24-230) This invention relates to the construction of buckles for safety-belts. The development of these mechanisms in recent years has proceeded along two different lines. One of these provides for release of the buckle by a sliding movement of the handle, and the other by a pivotal movement. Excellent mechanisms can be built along either line, although the slide-type device is more resistant to inertia forces encountered in crash conditions. These forces tend to throw open a pivoted handle, and produce premature release.

The presence of two different types of buckle on the market in quantity produces a problem. The owner of a car equipped with lever action buckle becomes used to a particular disengaging movement. When he nds himself in a car equipped with slide action buckles, the operation is unfamiliar to him. It may require a small degree of ingenuityk to operate either buckle if attention is given to it, but the problem becomes acute under emergency conditions. A burning car may require immediate disengagement of the buckle to safeguard the occupant, and human reactions tend to follow habit patterns rather ythan rational processes under these conditions.

The present invention provides a solution to this problem with a buckle mechanism that can be actuated to release by either a rotary lor a sliding movement, or by a combination of both. An occupant may release himself from the belt with the movement most familiar to him. The preferred form of this invention utilizes a sliding cam member and a handle capable of either sliding r rotary motion. This motion is communicated to the cam to withdraw it from locking position. The preferred arrangement makes possible a lever movement in the direction of release so that the actuating forces tend to throw aside the belt sections. This feature is provided without the enlargement of buckle length normally associated with direct rotary actuation of the cam by the lever (if the preferred direction of actuating force is to be maintained). In the later case, the rest position of the handle must extend lover and beyond the position of the cams, with the consequent increase in frame length and in the length of `the engaging plate (which must then extend under the handle to the point of engagement with the cams).

The several features of the invention will be analyzed in further detail .through a vdiscussion of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIGURE l presents a plan view, partially in section, of the preferred form Eof the invention in the locked condition.

FIGURE 2 presents a side elevation of the mechanism illustrated in FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 presents a sectional elevation on the plane III-Jil of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 4 presents a side elevation showing the device illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 3, in the release position produced by direct sliding movement.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the mechanism of FIGURES l to 3, actuated to release position by a rotary movement.

FIGURE 6 presents a view illustrating the alternate actuated positions of the handle, these being shown in dotted lines.

y 3,155,025 Patented Nov. l0, 1964 FIGURE 7 presents an exploded view showing the components of the mechanism in perspective.

Referring to the mechanism illustrated in the drawings, lthe frame 10 includes the base 11 interconnecting the sidewalls 12 and 13 to form a generally U-shaped structure. The abutments 14 and 15 are lanced upward from the material of the base 10 for interengagement with the apertures 16 and 17, respectively, of the engaging plate 18 to which the belt section 19 is attached. The material indicated at 20 and 21 in the sidewalls 12 and 13, respectively, is lanced outward to form guideways for slidably receiving the ends of the shaft 22. This shaft engages the holes 23 and 24 of the cam member generally indicated at 25, which is provided with the portions 26 and 27 which bear on the engaging plate 18 to maintain the locked interengagement of the abutments 14 and 15 and the apertures 16 and 17. Sliding movement of the cam member 25 to the left, as shown in the several views, will withdraw the portions 26 and 27 beyond the plate 18, as shown in FIGURE 4, and provide clearance for the disengagement of the plate from the abutments 14 and 15.

A handle member generally indicated at 28 is slidably and pivotally mounted on the handle shaft 29, which is received in the holes 30 and 31 in the sidewalls 12 and 13, respectively. The shaft 29 engages elongated openings 32 at the opposite sides of 4the handle member 2S which function as guideways both for the handle shaft 29 and for the studs 33 and 34 mounted on the spaced side portions 35a and 35b, respectively, of the link member 35. The opposite end of the link member 35 engages the slidable shaft 22 at the holes 36 and 37 to form apiovtal connection of the link member with respect to the cam member 25.

The extension 33 on the cam member 25 is generally perpendicular to .the shaft 22, and is tubular in crosssection to telescopically receive the plunger member 39. The end 4l) of this vmember receives the handle shaft 29, and the compression spring 41 is retained within the telescopic members 38 and 39, as best shown in FIGURE 3. The biasing action resulting from the compression of the spring 41 is applied to the cam member 25 to urge it to the right, in the several views, to a position in which the portions 26 and 27 maintain the locking engagement between the plate 18 and the abutments 14 and 15. It is preferable that the action of the spring 41 be light enough so that the plate 1S may be manudly shoved into engagement (accompanied by movement of the lugs 33 and 34 in the openings 32 as the cam member 25 moves to the left), Without requiring a substantial amount of eifort on the part of the user of the buckle. This movement of the cam member to permit the plate 18 to engage the mechanism contained within the frame 10 is not necessarily accompanied by any moveemnt of the handle 28 whatever.

One form of disengaging movement of which this mechanism is capable is illustrated in FIGURE 4. The handle 28 is simply moved directly to the left, carrying the lugs 33 and 34 of the link 35 with it through engagement of these lugs with the'ends 42 of the openings 32. Such movement of the link member 35 will carry the slidable shaft 22 and the cam member 25, and release of the plate 18. The manual action responsible for placement of the handle 23 in .theV release position shown in FIGURE 4 is facilitated by the presence of the lateral serrated abutments 43 and 44 provided. for engagement with the lingers.

A second form of release movement is illustrated in FIGURE 5, in which the handle 28 is moved in a counterclockwise rotation by engagement of the fingers of the user with the recess 45 of the handle. This rotation is essentially a pivot action about the handle shaft 29, with the link member 35 functioning as a member of a toggle. As the rotation of the handle continues to the position shown in FIGURE 5, the cam member 2S is withdrawn to the release postion illustrated. A torsion spring 46 surrounding the slidable shaft 22 establishes a biasing action tending to rotate the link member 35 into a position parallel to the base 11, and has the added effect of inducing a rotation of the handle memberl 28 back to the position shown in FIGURE 1 as a result of the forces transmitted to the handle by the lugs 33 and 34 at the guideway opening 32. The installed relationship of the spring 46 is best shown in FIGURE 1. The end 47 extends over the bar portion 48 of the cam member 25, and the end 49 engages the link member 35'. It should be noted that the action of the spring 46 must be sufciently strong to prevent accidental swinging of the handle 28 into the FIGURE 5 position under inertia forces. The spring 41, acting transversely tor the general pattern of inertia forces, need not be designed with inertia forces particularly in mind as long as the spring 46 is sufciently strong to prevent inertial operation. A positive action overcoming the, normal friction forces of the mechanism is all that need be provided by the spring 41, and any excess over this will simply interfere with the ease of insertion of the plate 18 on the coupling of the buckle.

The belt section 50 is preferable adjustably connected to the frame at the knurled bar 51, the opposite ends of which are slotted as shown at 52 for receiving the thickness of material of the base 11 of the frame. The bar is inserted at the area indicated` at 53, and moved into the narrower area 54. After placement in this position, drive pins as shown at 55 are inserted in the openings 56 and 57 in the sidewalls to prevent return movement of the bar 51 into the area 53. Tension on the belt 50 will result in movement of the bar 51 to the left along the portion S4 in a sliding movement which will bind the free end of the belt 58 between the bar` 51 and the portion 59 of the frame, as shown inFIGURE A3." The belt-adjustment portion of the device thus described forms no part of the present invention.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope ofthe appended claims. In these claims, it is our intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as we are limited by the prior art. Y l

We claim:

1. A buckle mechanism, comprising:

a frame and an engaging plate having interengageable apertures and abutments, respectively, for transmission of belt tension forces, i v

said frame having opposite sidewalls interconnected by a base, said sidewallsy each having a guideway parallel to said base; i

a shaft having the ends thereof slidably received in said guideways; Y

a cam member mounted on said shaft for sliding movement with respect to said frame, said cam member having portions disposed to bear on said`^ engaging plate to maintain the engagement of-saidapertures and abutments, said cam member being slidableV to a position providing freedom of said engaging plate to move to disengage said abutments and apertures,

said cam member also having an extension substantially perpendicular to said shaft;

a handle shaft havingthe Vends thereof vreceived in.

said sidewalls;

a handle slidably and pivotally mounted with respect to said frame on said handleshaft, saidrhandlehaving opposite guideways;

a link member having spaced side portions provided with lugs at one end engaging said handle guideways for pivotal and sliding movement therein, and the opposite end engaging said slidable shaft for rotation with respect to said cam member,

Said spaced side portions being disposed on opposite sides of said cam member extension; spring means biasing said cam member laterally to locking position,

said spring means including a member connected to said handle shaft and having telescoping relationship to said cam member extension, and also including a compression spring received within at least one of said telescoping members;

and rotary biasing means including a torsion spring surrounding said slidable shaft urging said handle and link member to an angular relationship corresponding to the locking position of said cam member, said torsion spring having the ends thereof engaging said cam member and said link member.

2. A buckle mechanism, comprising:

a rame and an engaging plate having interengageable apertures and abutments, respectively, for transmission of belt tension forces,

said frame having opposite sidewalls interconnected by a base, said sidewalls each having a guideway parallel to said base;

a shaft having the ends thereof slidably received in said gnideways;

a cam member mounted on said shaft for sliding movement with respect to said frame, said cam memberv having portions disposed to bear on said engaging plate to maintain the engagement of said apertures and abutments, said cam member being slidable to a position providing freedom of said engaging` plate to move to disengage said abutments and apertures,

said cam member also having an extension substantially perpendicular to said shaft;

a handle shaft having the ends thereof received in said sidewalls;

a handle slidably and pivotally mounted with respect to said frame on said handle shaft, said handle having opposite guideways;

a link member having spaced side portions provided with lugs at one end engaging said handle guideways for pivotal and sliding movement therein, and the opposite end engagingrsaid slidable shaft for rotation withrespect to said cam member,

said spaced side portions being disposed on opposite sides of said cam member extension; spring means biasing said cam member laterally to locking position,

said spring means including a member connected to said handle shaft and having telescoping relationship to said cam member extension, andalso including a compression spring received within at least one of said telescoping members;

and rotary biasing means urging said handle and link member to an angular relationship corresponding t0 the locking position of said cam member.

3. A buckle mechanism, comprising?- a frame andan engaging plate having interengageable apertures and abutments, respectively, for transmission of belt tension forces,

said frame having opposite sidewalls interconnected by a base, said sidewalls each having a guideway parallel to said base;

a shaft having the ends thereof slidably received in said guideways;

a cam member mounted onsaid shaft for sliding movement with respect to said frame, said cam member having portions disposed to bear on said engaging plate to maintain the engagement of said apertures and abutments, said cam member being slidable to a position providing freedom of said engaging plate to move to disengage said abutments and apertures,

r 3 said cam member also having an extension substantially perpendicular to said shaft;

a handle shaft having the ends thereof received in said sidewalls;

a handle slidably and pivotally mounted with respect to said frame on said handle shaft, said handle having a guideway;

a link member having opposite lugs at one end engaging said handle gnideway for pivotal and sliding movement therein, and the opposite end engaging said slidable shaft for rotation with respect to said cam member;

spring means biasing said cam member laterally to locking position,

said spring means including a member connected to said handle shaft and having telescoping relationship to saidcam member extension, and

also including a compression spring received within at least one of said telescoping members;

and rotary biasing means urging said handle and link member to an angular relationship corresponding to the locking position of said cam member.

4. A buckle mechanism, comprising:

a frame and an engaging plate having interengageable apertures and abutments, respectively, for transmission of belt tension forces, said frame having opposite sidewalls interconnected by a base; said sidewalls each having a guideway parallel to said base;

a shaft having the ends thereof slidably received in said gnideways;

a cam member mounted on said shaft for sliding movement with respect to said frame, said cam member having portions disposed to bear on said engaging plate to maintain the engagement of said apertures and abutments, said cam member being slidable to a position providing freedom of said engaging plate to move to disengage said abutments and apertures,

a handle shaft having the ends thereof received in said sidewalls;

a handle slidably and pivotally mounted on said handle shaft, said handle having a guideway;

a link member having opposite lugs at one end engaging said handle guideway for pivotal and sliding movement therein, and the opposite end engaging said slidable shaft for rotation with respect to said cam member;

spring means biasing said cam member laterally to locking position,

and rotary biasing means urging said handle and link member to an angular relationship corresponding to the locking position of said cam member.

5. A buckle mechanism, comprising:

a frame and an engaging plate having interengageable apertures and abutments, respectively, for transmission of belt tension forces;

a shaft slidably mounted in said frame for movement transverse to the axis of said shaft;

a cam member mounted on said shaft for sliding movement with respect to said frame, said cam member having portions disposed to bear on said engaging plate to maintain the engagement of said apertures and abutments, said cam member being slidable to a position providing freedom of said engaging plate to move to disengage said abutments and apertures;

a handle shaft having the ends thereof received in said frame;

a handle slidably and pivotally mounted on said handle shaft, said handle having a guideway;

a link member having one end engaging said handle guideway for pivotal and sliding movement therein, and the opposite end engaging said slidable shaft for rotation with respect to said cam member;

spring means biasing said cam member laterally to locking position,

and rotary biasing means urging said handle and link member to an angular relationship corresponding to the locking position of said cam member.

6. A buckle mechanism, comprising:

a frame and an engaging plate having interengageable apertures and abntments, respectively, for transmission of belt tension forces;

a cam member mounted for sliding movement with respect to said frame, said cam member having p0rtions disposed to bear on said engaging plate to maintain the engagement of said apertures and abutments, said cam member being slidable to a position providing freedom of said engaging plate to move to disengage said abutments and apertures;

a handie slidabiy and pivotally mounted with respect to said frame;

a link member having one end engaging said handle for pivotal and sliding movement with respect thereto, and the opposite end pivotally connected to said cam member;

and biasing means urging said handle and cam member to locking position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 435,360 Kaylor Aug. 26, 1890 509,552 Oldham Nov. 28, 1893 2,430,985 King Nov. 18, 1947 2,965,942 Carter Dec. 27, 1960 2,988,797 Gaylord June 30, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 791,479 France Dec. 11, 1935 1,162,639 France Sept. 16, 195,8 

1. A BUCKLE MECHANISM, COMPRISING: A FRAME AND AN ENGAGING PLATE HAVING INTERENGAGEABLE APERTURES AND ABUTMENTS, RESPECTIVELY, FOR TRANSMISSION OF BELT TENSION FORCES, SAID FRAME HAVING OPPOSITE SIDEWALLS INTERCONNECTED BY A BASE, SAID SIDEWALLS EACH HAVING A GUIDEWAY PARALLEL TO SAID BASE; A SHAFT HAVING THE ENDS THEREOF SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN SAID GUIDEWAYS; A CAM MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME, SAID CAM MEMBER HAVING PORTIONS DISPOSED TO BEAR ON SAID ENGAGING PLATE TO MAINTAIN THE ENGAGEMENT OF SAID APERTURES AND ABUTMENTS, SAID CAM MEMBER BEING SLIDABLE TO A POSITION PROVIDING FREEDOM OF SAID ENGAGING PLATE TO MOVE TO DISENGAGE SAID ABUTMENTS AND APERTURES, SAID CAM MEMBER ALSO HAVING AN EXTENSION SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID SHAFT; A HANDLE SHAFT HAVING THE ENDS THEREOF RECEIVED IN SAID SIDEWALLS; A HANDLE SLIDABLY AND PIVOTALLY MOUNTED WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME ON SAID HANDLE SHAFT, SAID HANDLE HAVING OPPOSITE GUIDEWAYS; A LINK MEMBER HAVING SPACED SIDE PORTIONS PROVIDED WITH LUGS AT ONE END ENGAGING SAID HANDLE GUIDEWAYS FOR PIVOTAL AND SLIDING MOVEMENT THEREIN, AND THE OPPOSITE END ENGAGING SAID SLIDABLE SHAFT FOR ROTATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID CAM MEMBER, SAID SPACED SIDE PORTIONS BEING DISPOSED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID CAM MEMBER EXTENSION; SPRING MEANS BIASING SAID CAM MEMBER LATERALLY TO LOCKING POSITION, SAID SPRING MEANS INCLUDING A MEMBER CONNECTED TO SAID HANDLE SHAFT AND HAVING TELESCOPING RELATIONSHIP TO SAID CAM MEMBER EXTENSION, AND ALSO INCLUDING A COMPRESSION SPRING RECEIVED WITHIN AT LEAST ONE OF SAID TELESCOPING MEMBERS; AND ROTARY BIASING MEANS INCLUDING A TORSION SPRING SURROUNDING SAID SLIDABLE SHAFT URGING SAID HANDLE AND LINK MEMBER TO AN ANGULAR RELATIONSHIP CORRESPONDING TO THE LOCKING POSITION OF SAID CAM MEMBER, SAID TORSION SPRING HAVING THE ENDS THEREOF ENGAGING SAID CAM MEMBER AND SAID LINK MEMBER. 